Rotary combustion engine

ABSTRACT

The aim of the invention is to dispense with the disadvantages of previous engines either fully or partially. This is achieved by means of two cylindrical parts ( 1,3,5 ) which rotate into each other, respectively possessing a wing ( 2,4 ) and which can rotate about an axis at different speeds. Similar to a four-stroke engine, the following occurs: induction of an air-fuel mixture, compression until self-ignition, creation of a working stroke and discharge of combustion gases. The variable inlet and outlet opening times are controlled according to a control bushing ( 12 ) and a special stepper motor ( 62 ). The rotating wings are controlled by freewheeling and by unilaterally acting hydrodynamic brakes or secured against reversed rotation. In relation to the cylinder core ( 13 ), two functional variable work chambers arise for each disk discharge elements which were not possible with the previously rigid engine structure. As a result new technical options are provided, especially regarding the use of novel (ceramic) materials. The engine can be used as a drive engine or, when modified, as a steam engine, compressor or pump.

1. TECHNICAL TERM

Rotary combustion engine

2. FIELD OF APPLICATION

The invention is an axial combustion engine, which can generally be used as drive engine. Optionally, after some tiny modifications, which do not affect the main principles, this engine can also be used as a steam engine, compressor or pump.

3. PURPOSE

This new kind of combustion engine is supposed to provide an alternative to the combustion engine, which is presently prominent on the market.

4. THE STATUS QUO OF TECHNICAL INVENTIONS AND CRITICISM

At the current status of technical invention, there are mainly two types of combustion engine available: First, the internal 2- and 4-cycled internal combustion piston engine, which is also called the Otto-engine, secondly, the rotary engine, which is also referred to as Wankel-type engine. The Otto-engine is regularly used by means of gasoline and diesel fuel and is predominantly applied in the automobile sector.

Disadvantages of the 2-Cycle Otto-Engine:

-   -   Higher fuel consumption up to approx. half load and especially         at full load because of scavenging and charging losses at         carburettor system.     -   Higher heat loading because of a failure in the backlash (lost         motion) and because of difficult heat dissipation.     -   Poorer torque at low RPM.     -   Intermittent engine operation at idle range.     -   Mostly imperfect mass balance     -   Very noisy operation     -   Its vehicle exhaust emissions are bad for the environment         (gasoline-oil mixture).     -   Low power efficiency because of cooling.     -   Functions only with ignition.         Disadvantages of the 4-Cycle Otto-Engine:     -   The power unit can only be only used 50%, as for one working         cycle two crankshaft revolutions are necessary     -   Low rate of uniformity (low engine smoothness)     -   The mechanic efficiency is reduced because of the two strokes         which are lost motion and because of the valve operation.     -   Low power efficiency because of cooling.     -   Functions exclusively with ignition.         Disadvantages of the Diesel Engine:     -   Bad combustion process because the fuel can only be injected         when, as a precondition the air is compressed up to 30-50*bar at         a temperature of 700°-900° Celsius. The early ignition causes         knocking.     -   Late injection causes uncomplete combustion.     -   For cold starting, glow plugs are necessary.     -   The ignition pumps make too much noise.     -   Low efficiency because of cooling.         Disadvantages of the Wankel-Engine:     -   Deficiencies at the sealing of the rotary engine combustion         chamber, causing problems.     -   Irregular operation because of the non-centric operation of the         rotary engine.     -   Torque characteristics are poor.     -   Engine efficiency is not satisfactory.     -   Poor combustion (bad exhaust emissions).     -   High manufacturing costs.     -   Low power efficiency because of cooling.     -   Works only with ignition.

Source/bibliography: partly from the automotive (engineering) paperback of the Robert Bosch company.

5. OBJECTIVE

The object of this invention is to partly or even fully eliminate the disadvantages of the currently prevalent engines and thus to obtain a more economic engine. The design also offers an adequate premise for the application of highly developed new materials, such as, for instance, ceramics. As a result, friction and cooling can be reduced to a minimum, and a higher operating temperatures can be reached. With additional water injection, also better fuel economy is possible.

6. SOLUTION

According to the invention described in FIGS. 1 to 13, this object is achieved by means of two cylindrical parts which rotate in each other, and which can rotate about one axis at different speeds, and which each possess a blade. Because of the different rotational speeds two functional working chambers, which are very similar to the four-stroke engine, are created per disk (see the design in FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2, parts 1 to 5). The resulting working chambers can occur at any place of the cylinder circumference (at variable combustion ratios and at variable stroke lengths).

To permit smooth running, two chambers, here called disks, are arranged, in fact in a very similar way to the Wankel-engine, but arranged with an angle of 180° between the two chambers. With an adequate angle division more than two disks are technically possible. Control is effected by means of a stepper motor, which is connected to the inner cylinder hollow shaft and to the pulse generator disk which is again connected to the outer cylinder shaft.

A comparable engine is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,367,591, which has partly other functions. There one working chamber per disk is created through mechanical fixing of the corresponding blade, and from the limited move of the other blade an angle of 180°, (one half revolution of the shaft) results. With that rigid design the compression ratio is not sufficient. According to the schematic figure the intake cycle is not functionally efficient. Only low output can be expected because of the air resistance (compression or vacuum) between the blades in the second chamber.

This is proofed by the fact that such an engine has so far found no application in the technical field.

An example of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-13 and described in the following:

FIG. 1 shows a rotary combustion engine in longitudinal cutaway view, consisting of three disks, each with one exterior-cylinder and a blade and a common interior-cylinder with one blade per disk.

Disk 3 functions as compressor and also as starting aid for the engine. Disks 1 and 2 serve as working cylinders of the engine.

This rotary combustion engine additionally contains a control bushing with moving parts, which rotate axially around a static cylinder core with intake and an exhaust channels and a retaining system against reversed rotation, power transmission elements and a special (revolving) stepper motor (62) as control system.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded diagram analogous to FIG. 1 and FIG. 1.1 with sectional views A to D but without the control elements, the retaining system securing against reversed rotation and the power transmission elements.

FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2 show a sectional view through disk 1 of the engine with two working chambers, consisting of exterior-cylinder with blade, interior-cylinder with blade, control bushing with sealing strips or radial seal rings and the static cylinder core with the corresponding seals.

The A-A sectional view according to FIG. 2.1 shows the intake channel level of disk 1 and the section B-B according to FIG. 2.2 shows the exhaust channel level of disk 1.

FIG. 2 a shows the three-dimensional-perspective drawings of FIG. 2, but without the control bushing and without the cylinder core.

FIG. 2 b shows the three-dimensional-perspective drawing of the control bushing with intake and exhaust openings as well as grooves for the sealing strips and radial seal rings and the interior-cylinder.

In this example the circumference of the control bushing is divided into 12 segments, each of 30° and has an opening in every forth segment on disk 1 and 2. This 30° division must be identical with the openings of the interior-cylinder.

A spacing with another suitable number of openings and angles is possible, as well.

The exhaust openings are offset by one segment (here 30°) against the rotary direction, because the stepper motor sets the control bushing back by 30° against the rotary direction. The same is possible in the rotary direction, but this is not advantageous.

In disk 2 the openings are arranged similar to those of disk 1 but offset by 180° so that for every rotation (cycle) all 4 strokes take place.

In disk 3, which is used as a compressor, the openings are spaced at 60°, that is in every second segment, and the intake and the exhaust openings are located offset by 30°.

FIG. 3-10 a show the different positions giving an overall view of the functioning of the engine shown in FIG. 1-2.2.

FIG. 3-6 a show disk 1

FIG. 7-10 a show disk 2, but rotated by 180 degrees.

First FIG. 3-6 a shall be described.

Here two working chambers are created in disk 1; these are referred to as working chamber “A” and as working chamber “B”.

FIG. 3-6 (section A-A) shows the working cycles of working chambers “A” and “B” at the inlet channel level. In FIG. 3 a-6 a (section B-B) the working cycles of working chambers “A” and “B” at the exhaust channel level are shown.

FIG. 3-3 a show the start of induction stroke in working-chamber “A”, compression in chamber “B”

FIG. 4-4 a show the start of compression stroke in working-chamber “A”, working in chamber “B”

FIG. 5-5 a show the start of working stroke in working-chamber “A”, combustion in chamber “B”

FIG. 6-6 a show the start of combustion stroke in working-chamber “A”, induction in chamber “B”

In disk 2, shown in FIG. 7-10 and in FIG. 7 a-10 a (section C-C and section D-D) with working chambers “C” and “D”, the same working cycles take place as in disk 1, but rotated by an angle of 180 degrees, so that for every full rotation of the blade all four strokes take place in the working chambers (A“−“D”).

This is explained with the following examples: Working- Working- Working- Working- chamber A chamber B chamber C chamber D FIG. 3: Induction 3a: Compression  7: Working  7a: Combustion FIG. 4: Compression 4a: Working  8: Combustion  8a: Induction FIG. 5: Working 5a: Combustion  9: Induction  9a: Compression FIG. 6: Combustion 6a: Induction 10: Compression 10a: Working

This is achieved through the control elements, which control the intake and the exhaust channel (in the example with an angle of 30°) in such a manner that in every working-chamber “A”−“D” all four working cycles can take place.

FIG. 11 shows the static cylinder core with intake and exhaust openings, openings for fuel and water supply as well as grooves for seals.

FIG. 12 Shows the retaining system that prevents reversed rotation. It contains two fixed external wheel blades 30 and one double-sided turbine blade wheel 32, pivoted with a bearing in the middle with freewheel permitting only forward rotation.

Also at the transmission hollow shafts 17/18, blades are fixed with movable blades. The wheel blades run in a fluid (oil), similar to an automatic gearbox or hydrodynamic brakes.

When the wheel blade rotates forward in the fluid, the blades fold shut and pose no resistance. At the same time the blades of the other blade wheel open in the oil and slow down that wheel, and even further accelerate the opposite wheel.

That process is, in turn, repeated during every working stroke.

FIG. 13 shows a section (section E-E) through the power transmission elements of the engine, containing a hollow shaft 57, a planetary gear, which again consists of a hollow interior gear 51, which is fully rotating with gear 38, and planetary gears 52,53 with two different, adapted diameters and the corresponding shafts 56, and the sun gears 54. Through the alternating movement of of the gears 51/54, at power wheel 55 an even rotation in the same direction is brought about.

To start the engine, the power wheel 55 must be driven and by means of a magnetic clutch (brake) one hollow shaft must be prevented from moving until the working cycle starts. Optionally, compressed air pressed into disk 3 (compressor) can be used to start the engine.

FIG. 1.2 shows as an alternative to FIG. 1 a power-transmission element with a differential gear according to the prior art. Function and method of operation remain similar (FIG. 1.2 to 1).

For the designs as per FIGS. 1.1 and 1.1.1, where an electric generator 58 is driven, the planetary gear or the differential gear can be dispensed with.

The electric generator can also serve as starter, magnetic clutch or magnetic brake of the engine.

FIG. 2.3 shows an alternative to FIG. 2.1. FIG. 2.2 depicts the intake channel level as shown in section B-B with 2 separate control bushings, one for intake and one for exhaust. As a consequence the openings at both cylinders can be wider and the opening times for inlet and discharge can be controlled independently from each another as desired.

FIG. 2 a-1 and FIG. 2 b-1 shows a modified three-dimensional-perspective in accordance to FIG. 2.3.

In all applications the stepper motor(s) 62 together with the angle encoder and the pulse generator disk (60, 61), which rotate in a 1 to 1 ratio with the transmission (hollow) (interior and exterior) shaft, receives pulses from the pulse generator and the control unit.

PARTS LIST

-   1: Exterior-cylinder for disk (plate) 1 -   2: Exterior cylinder-blade for disk (plate) 1 -   3: Interior cylinder for disks (plates) 1,2,3 -   4: Interior cylinder-blade for disk (plate) 1 -   5: Partition walls -   6: Exterior-cylinder for disk (plate) 2 -   7: Exterior cylinder-blade for disk (plate) 2 -   8: Interior cylinder-blade for disk (plate) 2 -   9: Exterior-cylinder for disk (plate) 3 -   10: Exterior cylinder-blade for disk (plate) 3 -   11: Interior cylinder-blade for disk (plate) 3 -   12: Control bushing -   13: Cylinder core with intake- and exhaust ports -   14: Sealing strip-control bushing -   15: Radial seal rings-control bushing -   16: Radial seal rings-cylinder care -   17: Transmission hollow shaft-“interior” -   18: Transmission hollow shaft-” exterior” -   19: Bearing with freewheeling for transmission hollow     shaft-“exterior” -   20: Bearing with freewheeling for turbine blade wheel -   21: Bearing for 12 and fastening for 13 -   26: Gear-or cogged belt for transmission hollow shaft-“exterior” -   27: Gear-or cogged belt for transmission (hollow) shaft-“interior” -   28: Turbine blade with movable blades for transmission hollow     shaft-“exterior” -   29: Turbine blade with movable blades for transmission (hollow)     shaft-“interior” -   30: Fixed external (outer) blades -   31: Bearing with freewheeling for transmission (hollow)     shaft-“interior” -   32: Two side turbine blade possibly with bearing and freewheeling -   33: Rigid (fixed) housing with hydraulic oil-reservoir and eventl.     (possible) pump -   35: Plain bearing housing for half bearings-hollow shaft -   36: Bearing flange -   37: Intermediate gears -   38: Gear-or cogged belt for engine drive (output) end and regulation     60 -   39: Gear-or cogged belt for engine drive (output) end and regulation     61+62 -   40: Flywheel (balance wheel) for interior-cylinder -   51: Internal ring gear -   52: Planetary-gear “a” coupled together (combined) with “b” -   53: Planetary-gear “b” -   54: Sun gear (center, internal gear) -   55: Gear-or cogged belt for engine drive (output) end and starting     (alternate with differential FIG. 1.2) -   56: Planetary-gear shaft -   57: Power-transmission shaft with power supply cables for 62 -   58: Generator (generator+starter) -   59: ″ ″ brush set -   60: Pulse-generator-disk for stepper motor -   61: Disk with pulse-generator -   62: Stepper motor for control bushing 12 -   63: Stepper motor-shaft -   64: Gear-or cogged belt-wheel for regulation 12 -   65: Intermediate gear (shaft gear) ″ ″ ″ -   66: Gear-or cogged belt ″ ″ ″ 

1. The rotary combustion engine, called RCE in short, equipped with two cylindrical parts, which rotate within each other, both possessing a blade, and can rotate at different speeds about one axis, thus effecting the intake of an air-fuel-mixture, a compression, a working cycle and the discharge of the burning gases, and with corresponding intake and exhaust openings for air, characterized in that these openings are controlled via a control bushing (12), which is driven by a special rotating stepper motor (62) and that the rotating blades are controlled (accelerated or decelerated) by freewheeling elements which are designed as unilaterally acting hydrodynamic brakes.
 2. RCE ccording to claim 1, the stepper (62) of the RCE, which is coupled to hollow shaft (17) via elements (27/37/39) and rotates with it with a 1 to 1 ratio, is connected through a brush set-cable-system with the control unit. The control unit of the stepper motor receives the corresponding signals via the interaction of the disk and the angle encoder, which rotate together with the hollowshaft's interior and exterior in a 1 to 1 ratio. The controll unit which is supplied with signals from the signal transmitter (pulse generator), transmits the corresponding pulses to the stepper motor. Through the transmission to the control bushing, the optimum cycle times (such as opening times, as well as closing times as well as opening duration) can be determined depending on both rotational speed and load.
 3. RCE according to claims 1-2, the RCE is characterized in that the intake and exhaust openings of the control bushing (12) are brought to overlap by the calculated rotational angle (the chosen cycle angle of the stepper motor) in congruence with the openingss of the interior cylinder and exterior cylinder. In the example given at the circumference of the control bushing in the area of disks 1 and 2 there are three openings, spaced 120° apart, and its circumference is divided into 12 segments spaced 30° apart, fitting to the openings of the interior cylinder (3), and the stepper motor (62) cycles 30 degrees—in this example—backwards. The exhaust openings, however, are offset 30° against the rotary direction. In disk 2 the locations of the openings correspond to those of disk 1, but are offset by 180°, so that with every rotation (stroke), all 4 stroke types take placein the two disks.
 4. RCE according to claims 1 to 3, the RCE is characterized in that the intake and exhaust openings of the control bushing (12) in disk 3, which is used as compressor, are, in this example, located 6 times along the circumference, with the openings spaced 60° apart. The exhaust openings, however, are offset by 30°, for function reasons.
 5. RCE according to claims 1 to 4, the control bushing (12) of the RCE is equipped with appropriate sealing strips and leaf springs. The sealing strips are functional according to the state of the art.
 6. RCE according to claims 1 to 5, the interior cylinder has 2 openings at each side of the blade of each disk (that is two openings at each intake/discharge level) at its disposal, the openings being spaced apart by 1 cycle (in the example given by a 30° angle).
 7. RCE according to claims 1 to 6, the RCE is characterized in that, both blades (2) and (4) rotate about one axis independently of each other at different velocities, while all 4 strokes can take place at any location and with any stroke length.
 8. RCE according to claims 1 to 7, the RCE is characterized in that the cylinder core (13) is equipped with corresponding ring-shaped channels, which have sealing rings that are secured against rotaton and which seal tight towards the neighboring chambers, and which possess openings for air intake and discharge as well as for fuel supply.
 9. RCE according to claims 1 to 8, the RCE is characterized in that this design and control technology simultaneously permits two working chambers per disk and that it dispenses with empty strokes, thus miniming power loss, which automatically leads to a maximum of efficiency.
 10. RCE according to claims 1 to 9, this multi-fuel engine is characterized in that it permits the use of various kinds of fuel such as gasoline, diesel and/or natural gas, as compression takes place until self ignition. This also makes it possible to generate additional energy through water injection into a prechamber (inlet channel). For the injection heated cooling water can be used.
 11. RCE according to claims 1 to 9, the intake openings and the exhaust openings can be controlled independently from one another as desired, through a specific modification of interior cylinder and exterior cylinder (1/3), cylinder core (13), control bushing (12), an additional second control bushing 12 a) and an additional stepper motor.
 12. RCE according to claim 1, the RCE is characterized by a retaining system (freewheeling system), consisting of two fixed external blades (30) and one double-sided turbine blade wheel (32) pivoted in their middle that safeguards inner and outer cylinder against rotation in the wrong direction. The two double-sided turbine blade wheels (28/29) with their movable blades rotate with the hollow shafts (17/18) in an oil (fluid) similar to an automatic gearbox. During the forward rotation of the respective turbine blade wheel in the fluid the blades shut and at the same time the blades of the other turbine blade wheel open through the fluid flow and decelerate the wheel and accelerate the counterpart wheel by the working stroke. This process is repeated during every working stroke in turn restraining and releasing the cylinders.
 13. RCE according to claims 1 to 4, 12, characterized by the advantage that through a assembly or design modifications both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation are possible.
 14. RCE according to claim 1, the RCE provides possibilities for the use of highly developed materials.
 15. RCE according to claim 1, the RCE balances out the mass differences of the two blade units via two flywheels.
 16. RCE according to claim 1, has been designed so that, instead of together with a power transmission gear it can also be used with a generator (58). The generator (58) can additionally be used to start the engine. 